Prized collection of African-American art
to open programming at new Stone Center

CHAPEL HILL – One of the nation’s most
important and comprehensive collections of African-American art will be
displayed Monday (Aug. 23)-Nov. 10 at the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black
Culture and History, an academic unit of the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill.

"Celebration and Vision: The Hewitt
Collection of African-American Art," will be the center’s first program
in its new building at 150 South Road. The structure, a milestone in the life of
the university, will be dedicated Saturday (Aug. 21).

Among the 55 paintings, lithographs and collages
in the Hewitt exhibition are "The Card Players" by Hale Woodruff;
"Morning Ritual" by Romare Bearden; "Woman in a Blue Coat"
by Ernest Crichlow; "Gate in Tangiers" by Henry O. Tanner;
"Easter" by Jonathan Green; and "Head of a Woman" by
Elizabeth Catlett.

The exhibition will be free and open to the public
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The collection presents a wide range of colors,
techniques and subjects, from powerful portraits and drawings to colorful collages
and abstract paintings. Harlem street scenes, church services and images of
Africa are among the subjects of the works.

Vivian Hewitt of New York City and her late
husband, John Hewitt, amassed the collection over 50 years. They visited studios
and built a network of friends and artists. When John Hewitt’s health began to
fail, the couple looked for ways to keep their collection together and have it
seen by the public, for education and enjoyment.

Charlotte-based Bank of America purchased the
collection in 1998, and, since 1999, has underwritten a national traveling
exhibition.

"Bank of America is committed to improving
lives by providing educational opportunities, building inclusive communities and
promoting cultural outreach," said Kenneth G. Reece, market president for
the bank in the Triangle. "The Hewitt Collection showcases the legacy and
contributions of the artists to our community and, in particular, how
African-American culture and art are a vital part of our society. We hope
everyone will enjoy visiting the new Stone Center to see all the wonderful
things it has to offer."

The UNC exhibition will be in the Stone Center’s
Robert and Sallie Brown Gallery and Museum, named for Robert Brown of High Point
and his late wife. William J. Armfield IV of Greensboro, a former chair of the
UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees, and his wife, Janie, donated funds for the
gallery and named it in honor of their friends, the Browns.

Hewitt, a Pennsylvania native, retired as
special librarian at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in New York;
her husband was managing editor for several magazines including "Hospital
Practice." Although they did not have unlimited means, they had an eye for
fine art and for emerging artists who would grow to national prominence.

"We wanted to live with beautiful
surroundings and at the same time take pride in our own heritage and
culture," Hewitt said.

Hewitt and some of the artists have North
Carolina connections. Her aunt and uncle live in Davidson. "I’ve been
visiting there all my life," she said. Her parents were from Statesville
and King’s Mountain. "Mel Watt is my cousin." Watt, a North Carolina
Congressman, graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Carolina in 1967.

As for the artists, Alston, Bearden and Grigsby
were born in Charlotte and John Biggars in Gastonia. Catlett once taught art in
Durham’s public schools. Grigsby was born in Greensboro and spent part of his
childhood in Charlotte.

"We want the collection to be seen by
everyone, not just African Americans," said Hewitt. "These artist are
wonderful, competent accomplished artists who happen to be black."

The center and Bank of America will sponsor the
exhibition. Those interested in guided tours for school classes or other groups
may call Pamela Sunstrum at the center, 919-962-9001. For more information, call
919-962-9001 or visit http://www.ibiblio.org/shscbch.

Media briefing with Vivian Hewitt:
From 4:30-5:30 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 23) at the Stone Center, 150 South Road. Artists
Margaret Burroughs and James Denmark will attend if their health permits. For
updates later this week on their status, call Antoinette Parker, 919-962-7265,
or L.J. Toler, 919-962-8589 or 919-219-6374. Hewitt and others will be available
for questions, photographs and explanations about the art works. Media representatives
may remain afterward for a private reception at 5:30 p.m., at which Hewitt will
speak.